San Francisco Federal Court Certifies Class Action Against Costco In Lawsuit Alleging Gender Discrimination In The Promotion Of Female Employees

On January 11, 2007, federal district court judge Marilyn Hall Patel granted class action status to a lawsuit brought against Costco Wholesale on behalf of female employees. The lawsuit alleges that Costco discriminates against women in its promotion practices, and alleges that less than 16% of Costco’s general managers are women. The class representatives include two women who worked for Costco more than 20 years, one becoming a warehouse receiving manager and one an assistant manager, and who claim they were passed over for promotion to general manager because of their gender. The lawsuit, Ellis v. Costco Wholesale Corp., N.D. Cal. Case No. C04-3341, was filed in 2004.

Michael J. Hassen's litigation practice spans almost 30 years and emphasizes general business and commercial litigation, including class action defense and unfair business practice representative actions (section 17200).

He represents lenders in all facets of lender litigation, ranging from class actions and unfair business practices based on alleged "predatory" lending and RESPA violations or alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, to claims alleging elder abuse or challenging the validity or priority of liens.

Michael also has significant experience in business torts such as misappropriation of trade secrets and raiding of corporate employees, ADA claims, and all phases of commercial and real estate finance, construction finance and construction defect claims.

He is experienced in appellate matters, having had primary responsibility for preparing more than 100 appellate briefs.